The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-04-28


freighted with the contributions OF q
sympathising nation. The destroying
pestilence breaks out the thronged |
and busy market place is deserted, the
hum of business ceases the voice
of music and mirth are hushed,
the cry of the orphan and the rattle
OF the dead cart along the otherwise
silent street take the place of the noise
of commerce, in one of our own cities,
it may be but dying are not forsaken,
the poor are not left to famish.
A band of heroic men, and still more
heroic women, forgetful of self devote
themselves to the care of the sick and |
suffering When some Charleston
lies in ruins from the shock of earth
quake, while the continent still trem-
bles, public meetings are called all |
over the land to raise means for the
relief of her panic stricken people, and
from the remotest States come cheer
ing words, accompanied by gifts of
money so abundant, that her treasury
oyerAows.
There is scarcely form of evil or
human suffering, for the removal Of
which, or the relief of whose victims,
there is not some organized effort.
The very literature Of the times is
redolent OF the kindly spirit of hui
mainly. 1t breathes in the columns OF
the newspapers, and inspires the pages
OF our noblest works of fiction. 1t
, speaks in earnest tones from the pulpit
and the platform, and even the pol
itician, hard and selfish as he is some
times thought to be, pays it homage in
his harangues We say, therefore,
that the most marked and distinguish
= ing characteristic Of our age and Of
1 our protestant civilization, is an act
e i've benevolence an earnest and com
S prehensive philanthropy, a sincere
e recognition of the duties we owe to
d our fellow men, and of our obligations
to labor for the improvement and
a amelioration Of the condition of the
n race.
r, Odd Fellowshipis one Of the many
l. agencies which are at once the offspring
d and the evidence of this characteristic
s of the times. 1t does not trace it
; origin back to the remote ages OF fab
q lous history 1t has not come down t
/ us hoary with the dust OF antiquity, o
e burdened with the dubious forms of {
s. past age. 1t is recent in its origin
II formed for and adapted to, the wants
y of the times, having its own peculia
&c Office to perform, and provided will
l. the machinery necessary for its eff
y cient performante 1t interferes Will
e. none OF the moral or religious agen
A. cies that have been set on foot for tn,
st good humankind. 1t does not, for a sill
n gle moment, assume to occupy the plac
7r of the Church. 1t does not put aside
1T or come in the way OF a single one Q
IL the many benevolent organizations q
te the day. But, to all these, I'm the obi
IS cations it imposes, in the duties
r. it enforces, and the morality it teaches
rs it is an efficient auxiliary, claimin
u merely to do its own good work, in it
e, own quiet way, and within the limit
$, which.it has prescribed for itself
so Taking, for its foundation principle
H. the universal brotherhood OF man, Il
er idea not derived from the fancies {
ry poetry or the theories Of Il dream
a philosophy, but from the teaching {
OF the sacred scriptures, its object is t
IN embody that truth in an organize
g. form, and to teach and enforce b
n, precept and by practice, the dutie
I'd that grow out Of it, in our relation
ry toward each other.
ne Our motto, Friendship, Low,
Truth" simple but comprehensiy
ch words, like the new commandmer
re given by our Saviour contains the sui
W. stance of all our teachings Thes
ne three words embrace every duty tbs
man owes to his fellows and if the
OF could be universally received an
al acted upon, the result, would be a pc
en- feet state of society.
OF Our VOWS take from us no nature
'ir RICH, interfere with none Of our pt
he litical or religious opinions, and al
o. consistent with loyalty to the COZ
OF stitution OF the Stale, and nation, an
IN with sound morality; and at tn
gy same time they really add nothin
", to the obligations that belong to
OF good citizen, and of course, can ad
ty nothing to the all comprehendin
nd obligations of the christian religion
Mt Friendly intercourse, regard fC
'e- the rights and feelings of others, 10y
re- to our neighoor, honesty and trut
in in our dealings, mutual support b
he timely council, or such aid, either pc
n, sonal or pecuniary, as may be in OF
he power, charity to the poor, asSistanC
at to the suffering and the sick, til
TO- tender care of the widow and the 0